April 22, 2020 - SACRAMENTO California Attorney General Xavier Becerra led a multistate coalition in submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supporting efforts to maintain an adequate national blood supply to aid the nations medical response during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, Attorney General Becerra argues that while the FDAs guidance easing restrictions on blood donations from the LGBTQ population, specifically gay and bisexual men, is a step in the right direction, the guidance does not go far enough to meet the nations needs. The letter advocates moving toward a risk-based, gender neutral screening model and further revising guidance to make it easier for the LGBTQ population to donate blood and plasma in response to the nations needs during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
As Americans stay home to stop the spread of coronavirus, the nation is facing a shortage of blood donations, which provide critical medical support to hospitals and their patients,said Attorney General Becerra. During this pandemic, it is important to continue to evaluate and modernize blood donation guidance to be inclusive of LGBTQ Americans. A risk-based model not only protects the health and safety of our communities its the right thing to do.
In the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis, blood drives and donations have dropped significantly.Every day, the United States needs approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells, nearly 7,000 units of platelets, and 10,000 units of plasma to provide blood transfusions for major surgeries, treat patients and victims of trauma, and more. The American Red Cross, which provides about 40 percent of our nations blood and blood components, recently reported less than a five-day blood supply on hand. As of mid-March, over 4,000 blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns and closures of schools and workplaces where these drives are usually held, resulting in over 100,000 fewer blood donations.
Recently, the FDA issued revised guidance related to blood donation policies for the LGBTQ community.This guidance reduced the wait period after sexual activity for gay and bisexual men from 12 months to three months.While this reform takes a step toward increasing blood donations made by healthy bisexual and gay men in a time when the nations supply of blood and blood products is at risk of collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it does not go far enough.Data from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law Williams Institute indicates that lifting restrictions completely, as compared to a 12-month waiting period, would produce more than 2 million additional eligible blood donors, including nearly 175,000 likely blood donors, and would potentially produce nearly 300,000 pints of additional donated blood annually.
Attorney General Becerra also argues that moving toward a risk-based model, rather than one based on gender, is not only more appropriate to address the populations needs, but is also more in line with laws that protect against discrimination. A population-based policy singling out bisexual and gay men threatens the constitutional Equal Protection principles under the Fourteenth Amendment and Fifth Amendment. Over the long term, the FDA should instead look at risk behavior rather than sex for determining who should donate blood.
A copy of the letter is availablehere.Source: CA. DOJ
See the article here:
- Fifth Amendment - The Text, Origins, and Meaning of the ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- 5th Amendment - Revolutionary War and Beyond [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Justices suggest public employees' testimony is protected [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- HST 330 fifth amendment presentation - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Police not sure if Sioux City murder suspect invoked 5th Amendment rights [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Christie Ally Samson Refuses to Give Documents to Lawmakers [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- House votes to hold ex-IRS official in contempt [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- House votes to hold ex-IRS official Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- House holds Lois Lerner in contempt [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- House votes to hold former IRS official in contempt [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Articles about Fifth Amendment - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Former PA Chairman Samson Pleads Fifth - Video [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- GOP-led House votes to hold former IRS official in contempt [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2014]
- No plans to arrest Lois Lerner, John Boehner says [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Im not going to testify: Witness pleads Fifth Amendment during Bangor triple murder trial [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Attorney: Defense told Corso will take Fifth [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Spokane County workers use Fifth Amendment in back-dating case - Thu, 22 May 2014 PST [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Shawn Vestal: County permit clerical mishap raises eyebrows - Fri, 23 May 2014 PST [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- Sexual abuse measure could lead to wrongful convictions, attorneys say [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- 5th Amendment - Laws.com [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Wildstein takes the 5th - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Fifth Amendment (United States Constitution ... [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- New bill a powerful tool to imprison sex offenders [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2014]
- Cristin Milioti in The Good Wife - Julianna Margulies - Video [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Kansas Supreme Court: Grand jury violated man's Fifth Amendment rights [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- Attorney Gwendolyn Solomon Petitions United States Supreme Court to Review Tenth Circuits Decision in Case of the IRP6 [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2014]
- Texas man's conviction overturned because of Fifth Amendment violation [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2014]
- Cop Says 'You Must Be Doing Something Wrong if You Invoke Your Rights' (Video) [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2014]
- Public be damned Litchfield latest example [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2014]
- Volokh Conspiracy: What the posse comitatus case might mean for the future of the exclusionary rule [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2014]
- Fifth Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2014]
- Top 5 Constitution-Related Searches at FindLaw.com [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2014]
- The Fifth Amendment Eminent Domain - Video [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2014]
- Apple And Google Will Force A Legal Battle Over The Privacy Of Your Passcode [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2014]
- Civics- The Fifth Amendment (Sarah Hutchinson) - Video [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2014]
- Google and Apple Wont Unlock Your Phone, But a Court Can Make You Do It [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2014]
- GOP fumes over Lerner remarks [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2014]
- Assistant to DeKalb CEO Ellis invokes 5th Amendment 30 times [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2014]
- GOP fumes as Lois Lerner talks to press but snubs Congress [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]
- Cry us a river, Lois Lerner [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]
- Can You Go to Jail for Refusing to Testify? [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2014]
- Fifth Amendment Projectb - Video [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2014]
- The Commander Cody Band - Take The Fifth Amendment - 8/5/1977 - Convention Hall (Official) - Video [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2014]
- Joey Gallo Takes The Fifth Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2014]
- Batavia High School teacher John Dryden retires from school district [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2014]
- Batavia High School teacher John Dryden retires [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- The Fifth Amendment Please Don't Leave Me Now - Video [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2014]
- Man Denied Fifth Amendment While In Court Wearing Anti-Police Shirt, Still Won His Case (Video) [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Batavia teacher previously involved in Fifth Amendment dispute retires [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- INFORMUCATE: THE FIFTH AMENDMENT - Video [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2014]
- Fairholme Funds Appeals Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Verdict [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Fresno Police Officer violated fifth amendment at a dui checkpoint. - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Code cases: Police want phone access, but some pass [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2014]
- Fresno Police Officer violated fifth amendment at a dui checkpoint. part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2014]
- Property Rights | Century Law Group - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2014]
- Agents questioned, Askar takes the Fifth in Trombetta hearing [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2014]
- Scott and Crist have heated and personal final debate before November election [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2014]
- Detective dodges questions about allegations made during rape investigation [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2014]
- Disciplinary hearing for SB officer moved to later date - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2014]
- Judge Rules Suspect Can Be Required To Unlock Phone With Fingerprint [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Virginia judge: Police can demand a suspect unlock a phone with a fingerprint [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Court rules: Touch ID is not protected by the Fifth Amendment but Passcodes are [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Virginia Court: LEOs Can Force You To Provide Fingerprint To Unlock Your Phone [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - Fifth Amendment - Shh! The Right to Remain Silent - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- Your Fingerprints Belong To Us: Iphone Users Forfeit 5th Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2014]
- All Your Fingerprints Are Belong To Us: iPhone Users Forfeit Fifth Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2014]
- Log into Tax-News+ [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2014]
- Editorial: Applying the Fifth Amendment in the era of smartphones [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2014]
- Volokh Conspiracy: Virginia state trial court ruling on the Fifth Amendment and smart phones [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2014]
- Fingerprints: iPhone Users Forfeit Fifth Amendment. - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2014]
- New ruling may affect police access to smartphones - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2014]
- Why the Constitution Can Protect Passwords But Not Fingerprint Scans [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2014]
- Virginia state trial court ruling on the Fifth Amendment ... [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2014]
- Is taking the fifth amendment a bad idea? - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2014]
- IT Security TV Show 4 November 2014 - iPhone Users Forfeit Fifth Amendment - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2014]
- the fifth amendment happy parody project song for connections - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2014]
- 13-year-olds murder conviction overturned [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2014]
- Your Fifth Amendment Rights DO NOT Cover Biometrics - Video [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2014]
- Philadelphia charter school officials pleaded Fifth 77 times [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2014]